If our afflictions are so sanctified – Thomas Brooks

If our afflictions are so sanctified as that they draw out our soul . . .
to love the Lord more, and
to fear the Lord more, and
to please the Lord more, and
to cleave to the Lord more, and
to wait on the Lord more, and
to walk with the Lord more
then they are sent in love. Oh, then they are the wounds of a friend indeed!

If the afflictions that are upon us do . . .
increase our courage,
strengthen our patience,
raise our faith,
inflame our love, and
enliven our hopes
certainly they are sent in love, and all our wounds are the wounds of a friend.